Mechanical Engineer salary in Des Moines, IA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes West Des Moines, Urbandale, Perry, Ankeny, Altoona.
Also listed as: Mechanical Design Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,204 |
| 25th | $70,950 |
| 50th (median) | $106,450 |
| 75th | $119,734 |
| 90th | $141,413 |
Cost of living
Des Moines's median Mechanical Engineer salary of $106,450 is worth about $116,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Des Moines = 91.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Mechanical Engineers in the Des Moines, IA area earned a median of $85,490 in May 2025 (390 employed). The H-1B median here is $106,450, 25% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Deere & Company | too few | 3 |
| Microsoft | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.